22nd IPF Women's World Championships
Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic
5/23 - 27, 2001
The 22nd IPF Women's Championships was held on Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic the last weekend in May. 100 women participated, and all the major powers were represented. The results were somewhat as expected, with Russia, Chinese Taipei, and the Ukraine taking the top three slots. We placed fourth in what proved to be a strong competition with great depth in every class. Besides the result, what provided the bright spot for the U.S. in this competition was the results of our "new" lifters, and the consistency of those who have been to Open Worlds previously. Five women represented the U.S. who had never been to an open world championship previously, and by-and-large, acquitted themselves well. Many personal records were established, and all of our lifters placed in the top ten in their respective weight classes.
Starting off, Cathy Solan totaled 300 kg. for a new P.R., and received a bronze medal in the deadlift with 135 kg. She placed seventh overall. The class was won by Raija Koskinen, of Finland with 397.5 kg. She established a new world squat record of 170.5 kg. This is just short of FOUR times bodyweight. Second was Wei-Ling Chen of Chinese Taipei, and Benedict Lepanse placed third.
Jennifer Maile placed fifth, losing fourth on bodyweight in a hard fought class. Her total of 377.5 kg. was down from her last two competitions. Some hard luck was had in that she missed her third squat of 160 kg., although it looked deep enough and came up easily. It proved to be difficult to bounce back, but she likely has a long career ahead of her. This class won, again on bodyweight by Natalia Shapovalova, of Russia. Both she and Kuan-Ting Chen totaled 417.5 kg., Chen being heavier by seven tenths of a kilo. Third was taken by Yukako Fukushima, in her first three lift worlds. She benched an incredible 110 kg.
The 52 kg. class was taken handily by Tatiana Eltsova, in her second competition in this weight class. She increased her total from Russian Nationals by 15 kg., winning handily with 457.5 kg. She broke the existing world record with a 85 kg. squat. Rita Liimatanen, of Sweden took the silver, and Li-Min Lin, of Taiwan was third. Our own Siouxz Hartwig finished 6th, with a personal record of 395 kg. She shows that persistance pays of in increasing lifts over an extensive competitive career.
Michelle Amsden, in her first open world championship, increased her personal record by 17.5 kg., to 400 kg. She increased her personal records in Bench, Deadlift, and Total, after getting off to a rough start in the squat. Valentina Nelubova outpaced the competition with her outrageous 135 kg. bench press world record. Pirjo Savola was unable to use her trademark deadlift to catch, even while establishing a continental record of 202.5 kg. Shu-Ting Lin placed third, with just under a 1000 lb. total.
The 60 kg. class proved to be a battle, as I predicted earlier, between Elena Fomina and Irina Abramova, of Russia. If you haven't seen these two ladies compete, this is shaping up to be one of the great battles in Russian lifting. Abramova won when the two met in 1998 in Denmark, and Fomina edged ahead in this year's Russian Nationals. It wasn't to be this year for Abramova, despite having a higher qualifying total. She had some difficulty getting her trademark HUGE squat in and went into the bench press with a 5 kg. deficit. With Fomina breaking the world bench record (125 kg.), Abramova was unable to catch up. Laryssa Vitsevska, last year's World Junior champion finished 15 kg. out of second. Our own Angie Overdeer posted a personal record total of 440 kg., via p.r.'s in all individual lifts: 162.5 kg., 102.5 kg., 175 kg. Veronica Aguila, of Maryland, competing for Australia finished 12th.
The 67.5 kg. class was the international debut of Kara Bohigian in only her third (really) powerlifting meet. She placed 7th, matching her total of 467.5 kg. from Nationals. Her squat and deadlift were slightly down, possibly due to a back injury sustained training for Olympic lifting, but her bench P.R. of 115 kg. made up for them. Kara was a favorite of the Czech T.V. crew, and was seen on reports of the competition for several days after. As expected, Marina Kudinova, of Russia won, followed by Antonietta Orsini, of Italy and Larysa Ivanova of Ukraine. Larysa has teenage daughter who is just beginning powerlifting, so the future may be foretold in Ukranian powerlifting.
Priscilla Ribic, in her first world competition, and her second competition at 75 kg. placed a respectable 5th. A little adjustment to the local cuisine and the last minute travel (she was added to the roster only six days before the competition) may have decreased her trademark deadlift, and consequently her total. Look for great things from her in the future though. This category was handily won by Svetlana Miklasevich of Russia by way of a 230 kg. squat, 160 kg. bench press, and a 205 kg. deadlift. Anne Stiklestad, of Norway was second. She lifted solidly despite a back injury several years ago and appears to have regained the poise on the platform that she is known for. Tamara Bahriy of Ukraine won the Bronze Medal.
Olesia Rychkova, of Russia won, as I had predicted after Russian Nationals, with a 585 kg. total. This was down 15 kg. from her total there but this is her first world championships. She represents a group of new lifters from Russia who will likely move some of the "old guard" along if they don't work very hard. Chui-Hua Hseih got the silver medal, with Iryna Yavorska getting the bronze. Leslie Look placed fourth after struggling for depth in the squat. She pulled for the bronze on her final deadlift, and looked like 227.5 kg. was going, but it wasn't to be. She will be back with renewed fire next year, I'm sure.
There was no U.S. representative in 90 kg. class. It was handily won by Irina Lugovaya, last year's world champion. Irina put on a demonstration of how to compete at this level, with a continental record 247.5 kg. squat, and world record 163.5 kg. bench, and a p.r. deadlift of 240 kg. Her total of 650 kg. is a new European Record. Victoria Posmitna, Ukraine, received the silver medal in her international debut in the 90 kg. weight class, and Ganna, down from +90 got the bronze with a p.r. total in this weight class.
The U.S. had two lifters at +90: Liz Willett and Sue Hallen. Sue stepped up to the open after her appearance at last year's Master Worlds. She totaled a respectable 447.5 kg. and made another try at the 300 (lbs.) mark in the bench. She will get it sooner or later. Liz Willett was the recipient of a piece of good luck in that that favorite Chia-Sui Lee of Chinese Taipei, after of category best squat of 272.5 kg., bombed in the bench. Liz showed her class by giving Miss Lee one of her bronze medals after the competition. The class was won by perenial world champion Chen-Yeh Chao with a 645 kg. total. She was defeated by Anastasia Pavlova of Russia last year in a hard fought battle. This year, the situation was reversed, with Ms. Chao coming out on top by 25 kg. Ms. Pavlova's total was off, by 40 kg. from her performance in Russian Nationals, but she still posted the third highest total in the competition. Liz got the bronze with a 560 kg. total, although this is not reflective of her potential. That is most evident is the weight selected after she got her opener. 252.5 kg. flew up, but she lost her balance and stepped with the weight. With some fine tuning, look for the biggest total in USAPL history.
This competition was the fourth consecutive world championships working together for Kirk Karwoski and I. He proved again that he is one of the best hands on coaches in the world. We were joined this year by Michael Overdeer, Mike O'Donnell, Ruth Welding. Iain Burgess assisted the first two days, and Lance Slaughter came in Friday and Saturday. Each contributed to the effort of our athletes, and a number of comments were received that we had one of the most competent coaching contingents at the contest.
Our lifters proved to be great ambassadors for USA Powerlifting, and for the U.S. in general. They were friendly, outgoing, and supportive of our team, and all the other lifters as well.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the hospitality of our hosts, the Czech Federation. They were responsive to requests, attentive to the needs of the lifters, and present in the secretariat office at all hours of the day and night. Transportation was handled efficiently, and the banquet was exceptional. This competition was a great experience for our lifters and coaching staff, and we would be pleased to return to the Czech Republic again.
Jennifer Maile, 157.5 kg Squat, youngest competitor
Kara Bohigian, 120kg Benchpress
Above Photos from the IPF site.
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Worlds in the eyes of Priscilla Ribic:
My first surprise of the whirl-wind week of competition was the fast pace of the entire meet. Finding out that you only have 15 minutes in-between lifts was a true eye-opener; it does not allow much time to strip off your gear, maybe make it to the bathroom, warm-up and get stuffed into new gear and then head up to the platform. My personal performance was less than desirable, but still managed to place 5th out of 11. I went 4 for 9, making some silly mistakes that lead to those dreaded red lights, like not waiting for the rack command on squats! The infamous squat judging was true as all rumors have it. I received my first red light on depth, but still managed to pass the lift. I must also comment on the wonderful experience it is working with the US Coaching Team; from Kirk wrapping my knees 'my way,' to Larry calming my nerves and bruising my ears, to Mike O'Donnell adjusting gear, and not to forget to mention their speedy way of getting us in and out of gear!
Aside from the lifting, the entire experience was wonderful. Meeting people from across the world, exchanging gifts & t-shirt, watching old friends reunite at this yearly event was incredible. The banquet was fun, us American girls got the party started when we got up to dance. The team stuck together like life long friends. A few of us stayed a couple more days to tour Prague together under the trusty lead of Larry Maile the 'tour guide.' The parting of ways at the end is the hardest on all of us. We are sad to leave and have that question in our minds...'what's next' now that the much anticipated event is over.
From Kara Bohigian:
IPF Women's Worlds was my third powerlifting meet and I'm hooked forever.
Here's three highlights from a newbie's perspective: 1) I got a first hand glimpse of the secrets of foreign lifters. More than any wild training routine or magic supplement these girls are masters of the equipment. I did not see any incredible raw lifts in the warm-up room. I saw perfectly fitted suits and shirts on lifters who had studied timing and technique. 2) The IPF is the real deal. Everything you've heard about squat depth is true. I like that though. Squatting deep is one of the most feared and respected aspects of powerlifting. It was funny how the audience cringed when someone would just do a parallel squat. 3) The US team totally ROCKED!!! I've been an athlete my whole life and I've never seen teamwork like we had. The coaching staff did everything but lift the weight for us! They load your bar, get you in your gear, wrap your knees, run your numbers. All they ask in return is good lifting. The girls on the team were either lifting, cheering, or helping out in the warm-up room. I love and miss the team tremendously. Every minute of the trip was a blast and I hope I get to do it again.
First Lady of USAPL, Angie Overdeer on her second squat.
(photo: Lance Slaughter)
A few miscellaneous photos from the Womens, thanks to Liz Willet and Sioux-z Hartwig
